Yogurt Fermentation Lab

 This lab is perfect for home-school students!  Here  is a research article about Microbiology and Yogurt.  This article is a little deep; however, the article suggests making all kinds of yogurts from almond milk, soy, rice, coconut, etc.  This same article describes different tests to use, such as pH or splat tests. Use the idea and then adapt it with an easier lab.  Making Yogurt uses simple equipment.  Here are suggestions for a home-made incubator, such as a styrofoam cooler.  Here are instructions for crockpot yogurt.  I need all kinds of labs because I don’t know how many extra materials I’ll need this year for Biology.  I know a few kids are brilliant.  I want challenging labs for these kids that everyone can enjoy doing.

Heat Labs

 Heat is another unit taught in Chemistry.  Apologia’s General Science and Physical Science textbooks don’t include Enthalpy or Heat.  However, other Physical Science textbooks do.   I have some labs.  All of these labs can be performed by middle school students.  The Specific Heat and Calorimetry labs are a little trickier to understand and calculate. Below the links are a few videos.

1. Calibrate a Thermometer.  This activity guide has both the ice water and boiling water methods.  Try both.  I’ve done this with all types of thermometers: digital, metal-backed, glass, and cooking.

2. Here is a Heating Curve lab with sample data to graph.  We’ve done this lab with ice in a pan on the stove.  Record the temperature every minute.  Yes, you are watching ice melt and water boil.  If you have a glass pan, use it to watch the water surface as it begins to boil.

3.  Coffee Cup Calorimetry measures how well a metal holds heat.  Try Soda Can Calorimetry, too.

Any store is a science store.

 Friends had been describing local bin stores—giant stores which resell Amazon returns.  I went this morning.  There was a fire blanket!  Yeah!  I wanted one for my first-aid station for years.  Go into thrift stores, Dollar stores, Five Below,  Walmart, etc with an open mind.  You never know what you’ll find!  

Am I ready for Co-op to resume?

 Maybe.  I’ve pulled out materials and vacuumed.  I’m still hunting for funny memes.  Rob and I have several lessons completed.  I’ve been getting a few panicked phone calls, messages, and emails.  I took a couple pix.  We have a large, unfinished basement we use as a classroom.  We have loads of supplies because we teach several, different classes: math, science, finance, and literature.  Take a look!

Easy Ice-Breaker!

 I’m hunting for fresh memes to post.  We try to keep the basement classroom happy.  It’s unfinished; it’s not going to be inviting.  I have one small suggestion as an ice-breaker.  In another life, I did time in a public high school.  The first week, the home-room kids meet in class for hours.  I had loads of activities for them because the ordinary paper work could be completed in 20 minutes.  The school always allowed two hours the first day of school.  One activity was to create animals for the teachers.  I collected old issues of National Geographic.  We cut and mounted photos and wrote teachers’ names.  Many teachers posted them on their doors.  (I got the idea at a conference.)  One home-room wanted their own animals, too.  Your family or Co-op might like to do this. Here’s mine.

Cell Models

 Yes, we make cell models in Biology.  I don’t allow edible models.  I have had too many ooze the cytoplasm in class.  Yuck.  You do you!  Of you like cake models, be my guest.  Here is an excellent scoring rubric.  In my class, as long as they have ten organelles and a key, I’m satisfied.  However, I require a 3-D model.  Here are model inspirations.  Below are a few student models.  Some more 3D than others.

One more day of Science Camp on Thursday!

Update: There were several last minute cancellations.  The last day is post-phoned, not canceled.  I’ll post pix when we finally have the last day of Camp.

 I owe the kids one more day of Science Camp.  I broke my arm and missed the last day of Camp.  I was in my basement sorting supplies this afternoon.  We managed to do many, many toys from my plans in July.  Below is the list.  I have the links listed, too.  We won’t do these activities in this order.  I’ll start with simpler activities, such as the rotocopter, penny in a balloon, and flyers.  We’ll move through more fun stuff such as catapults and the bee hummer.  The kids like Can Crush and Rocket ball; they’ll be later in the morning.  We’ll sandwich in the zoetropes and finish with the toys.  In between we’ll go outside to test our flyers and make time for songs and snack.  Fun, right?

Here is the list.

1.  Build catapults.

2.  Crush Cans.

3. Soda Bottle Center of Mass

4. Spinning Penny

5. Flyers: Paper Plate Frisbee, Big Mouth Tumblewings, and Airplanes.

6. Rotocopters

7. Pencil and Horses is actually a Zoetrope and Whirling Watcher.

8. Rocket Ball is a Stacked Ball Drop.  I use a tennis ball and a ping pong ball, initially.  Then I give the kids small, bouncy balls to try to stack.

9. Flyer toys: I have flippers, spinners, tiny balancing birds, poppers, etc for the kids to play with and take home.

10.  The Bee Hummer makes a lovely noise.  This is usually more of a hit than you would expect.

Rocks and Minerals

 Occasionally, I teach Earth Science.   I am not a geologist.  When I teach Rocks and Minerals, I make sure to have labeled sets.  I am not going to take an unknown box of rocks and try to sort and identify them.  Instead, we perform tests on labeled rocks, such as Rock Classification or Rock Density. Some rocks glow under UV light.  Here is a Rock Cycle lab using chocolate chips or this one with Starbursts.  You might want to create a Rock Cycle Project.  Here is a model for inspiration.  This Rocks and Minerals Lap Book is another way to organize the instruction, notes, and graphics.  Below are a few listing from Good Will, Temu, eBay, and HST.  available now.  Trust me, you want a labeled set!

Periodic Table: Make Cards!

 My summer assignment for Chemistry is to make Periodic Table cards.  Here is the inspiration from ACS.  Assign specific colors for the different groups so the kids can play the card game described in the article.  The reason I like this format so much is because the kids make pictures.  The more they add, the more likely they’ll remember the name and symbol.  But, you can just write symbols and names on index cards to learn, as in Make Your Own Element Cards.  You can buy a set, like this one, or download a set.  But in my experience, the kids learn the most by making their own cards and drawing a symbol.

Measures

 Many introductory science courses begin with measures.  There are loads and loads of resources.  General Science or Physical Science is a great time to teach measures well.  Surprise! Start with a series of labs.

1. TEKS has this Measurement introduction.  Read this first.  

2. Metric Measurement has kids measure length, volume, temperature and mass.

3. Do a density lab.  Here is my slide deck with Accuracy and Precision and Density.  I use It’s All About Density.  I have a jar with glass marbles, metal washers, metal cubes, lead fishing sinkers, corks, golf balls, etc.  I distribute wooden blocks and index cards to measure, too.  I have scales, cylinders, tape measures, yarn, calipers, and rulers to use to make measurements.  The kids end up reviewing a few formulas for volume as part of the activity.

4.  Measuring with Significant Figures has a few more activities, such as measuring the number of drops in one mL of water or locating some object on your body 1 mm long.

5. Try a few measurement worksheets: Measurements, Metric Conversion Worksheet, Metric Measuring Worksheets ( several grades), and Units and Conversions.  We use this Metric Mnemonic, ‘Many Kids Have Dropped Over Dead Converting Metrics.’

Matter: Particles, Compounds, and Molecules

 Matter is one key module in Apologia’s General Science, Physical Science, and Chemistry curriculums.  One tool I use is POGIL, first introduced in College Chemistry.  Try Classification of Matter, which has the teacher’s notes and answers.  POGIL start with models.  All of the information is on the page.  You don’t need to research any of the terms.  However, feel free!  It’s fine to check your answers as you work through the exercise.  Here is a classification of matter lab with an answer key.  Here is a Nuts ‘n Bolts activity below, similar to Classifying Matter and this Worksheet and Key.  Finally, this lab, Element, Mixture, Compound Activity, uses ordinary household materials: salt, egg shell, water, bag of air, baking soda, etc.  The notes explain which substances are elements, mixtures, or compounds.  (BTW, air is a mixture of gases; some gases are diatomic molecules, such as oxygen or nitrogen which is their elemental state.  Stick with air as a mixture of gases.  Carbon dioxide in air is a molecular compound.)

Why do you post just about everything you do in Co-op?

 Great question!  I first taught Co-op science classes after school in the lab, at the high school, where I was teaching full-time.  I know just how unusual this situation is.  Some of the kids were enrolled with MODG School.  One mom, my friend, Michelle, was a consultant for MODG.  She was concerned about getting lab credit.  I documented every lab and hands-on exercise in my blog.  It was good to have evidence the kids did all of the labs.  I made this a habit ever since.  Occasionally, an online school wants more evidence.  In addition to work samples, tests, projects, and lab reports, I can provide the blog address, complete with grainy photos from my basement classroom.  Do I really do labs?  I can provide evidence.

Ready for the Owl Pellet Dissection!

 This year we’re going to dissect the first day of class.  I have the owl pellets ($40/14–pricey), probes, masks, and gloves ready.  Some people are squeamish about dissection.  My husband, Rob, who is team teaching, loathes dissections.  When we did the owl pellet dissection with Paul, as a home-schooler, both of them were green.  So, I provide masks and gloves left-over from COVID. (We volunteer with Tax-Aide and do taxes.  Tax-Aide maintained strict mask requirements until this past tax season.  I was not a fan!  However, I have loads of masks and gloves leftover the Tax-Aide group doesn’t need or use.). Some of the kids who won’t even touch a probe still wear both masks and gloves.  Hey!  If they’re more comfortable, I don’t care.  All set!

Levels of Organisation

 Every time I teach Biology I do the same exercise for levels of organization.  I stack cups and have kids sort them from smallest to largest. (The cups were clearance items from Walmart years ago.  I knew I’d use them every year.)  After we discuss what the levels of organization mean.  This exercise usually takes about 15 minutes.  If a teen is confused about atoms and organelles, I can drag out the cups and review.  Below is the inspiration photo, my cups, and a graphic posted recently to the National Biology Teachers’ group.  In the graphic, the beginning is the ‘Big Bang!’  I love this!  I tell kids I definitely believe in the ‘Big Bang!’  God spoke and bang! it happened.  Take a look!

Ecology: Dichotomous Keys

 Okay, dichotomous keys are part of taxonomy.  Hey, if you sort organisms, you need to name them, too.  I put Taxonomy right in the middle of Ecology.  (The Apologia textbook refers to them as Biological keys.)  Since I’m busy printing for class, I might as well share examples with you.  We do several dichotomous keys because, I find repetition helps drive home the idea.

1. Here are four keys to practice.  My favorite Far Side cartoon is on the last page. 

2. This one has insects, toes, and leaves.

3. Here is a left key I used last year.  We did the activity online.  The kids read over descriptions such as compound and simple leaves or smooth edged vs. serrated edged with little difficulty.  

4. Here is a shark dichotomous key.

5.  This one has leaf and creature keys.  

6. Pamishan is a classic activity for keys.  Here is the answer key.  

7. I alway do the Jelly Belly Dichotomous key lab.  There are many labs available.  One pound is more than enough for 14-15 kids.

Ecology Wildlife Card Decks: Food Webs

 Thank goodness I invested in an Eco-tank printer. My friend, Christine, says it prints color copies for years.  I’m putting it to the test.  I have a larger Co-op class and need different levels of  wildlife cards for Ecology; the kids use them to make food webs.  I thought about printing them on card stock to reuse.  Instead, some of the kids can use these for an assessment.  I’ll give certain kids card decks to place and label for a test.  I’m using this unit, Creating Chains and Webs…. primarily for the cards.  I accidentally made 15 copies instead of printing pp 15-16.   Arrrgggghhh!  I’m going to use them for a food web test.  Here are some more card decks.

1. What’s for Lunch? has 25 pages of notes and species cards.  This is a great deal to print. You may have your teen use the information to write the names in a food web.  However, it’s a good aquatic ecosystem.

2. Food Webs…..is a simple food web with a key.  Pond Water Web is another simple food web.  Both have just two pages of cards to print. 

3.  Human Food Web is a generic set of cards, in that it doesn’t represent any particular ecosystem.  Additionally, there is no diet information.  Kids need to do a little research.  Here is another generic food web; page three is the entire set in black and white, albeit in tiny images.

4. Here are several sets of organism cards for African Grassland, Marine Food Web, Forest Food Web, Desert Food Web, with miscellaneous cards.  Each set has just nine organisms.

5. There are several Yellowstone card sets: Yellowstone Food Web (two pages B/W),  Food Webs (three sets in color), and Trophic Webs… (Scroll way down for the cards.)

Wolves in Yellowstone Park

Yes, I’m still shaping my lessons.  I decided to look more carefully at Ecology, since it’s the first unit I teach.  I’m thinking about using Yellowstone Park as an Ecology project: research, food webs, virtual field trip, etc.  However, I can discuss a host of topics from taxonomy to predator-prey relationships in the context of Yellowstone Park.   There are many lessons about the reintroduction of wolves and conflict with bears at Yellowstone Park.  (Yes, it’s very hard to find objective material.) Before I list some resources, there are two articles to read: Have Wolves Returned Yellowstone to its Natural State? and an article originally in the WSJ, America Saved the Grizzlies and now the Bears are Invading Towns.  This educator’s guide, Grizzly Bears of Montana is quite objective.  (I didn’t know grizzlies have induced ovulation and delayed implantation of fertilized embryos.). The National Park’s Service’s Gray Wolf publication is similarly factual. Below are articles and lesson.

 I usually collect a variety of articles and fact sheets at different reading levels for students.  These help frame a discussion.

1. Yellowstone Mammals in the Park, Wildlife of Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Park Facts are fact sheets.

2. Yellowstone Science has several interesting topics which can serve as introductions, such as ‘Are Yellowstone’s Northern Grasslands Overgrazed?’ or ‘Give Bison Room to Roam.’

3.Wildlife has a good overview of several different species in Yellowstone Park.  One suggestion is to let kids pick an animal and explore its role in the Park’s ecosystem.  

Here are several lessons.

1. Yellowstone Curriculum Materials can help shape your project.  It has a Bear’s Menu, Camouflage, Dueling Mandates, To Eat or Be Eaten, and loads of ideas.  

2. Return of Gray Wolves to Yellowstone Park, Right or Wring?  This lesson seems short and sweet.  Instead, have your teens do a little research.  What are the implications of releasing gray wolves to Yellowstone?  Let them look for the controversy surrounding the reintroduction of gray wolves to the park.

3.  Do a Yellowstone Food Web.  You may want colored card decks. Here is diet information about Yellowstone bears.

4.  Wolves of Yellowstone has a 25 page teacher’s guide and loads of worksheets for student activities.  There are answer keys and role-playing activities. This guide is from the Nature Conservancy and PBS.  

5. American Bison and Bison, Grazing, and The Great Plains provide another avenue to explore.

Macromolecules Murder Mystery Lab

 Yes, I’m planning for Biology.  I do some of the same labs every year.  Usually, I assign a macromolecules lab to teach kids how to test lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.  (Here is the slide deck I use to show positive and negative results.  Why  not make it a murder mystery?  Murder and a Meal from Science Spot is very straight forward.  Basically, the kids are doing the four types of tests. The teacher’s notes explain how to create the victim’s last meal to reveal the answer.  (Change the town and restaurants to your city or town.)  Murder and a Meal includes the instructions to test macromolecules.  Matthew Simmons just added more documents to enhance this Macromolecule Murder Mystery.  He’s a top contributor to National Biology Teachers and added a police report, victim cards, and suspect cards he created.   I have to admit; this lab makes such a mess the basement resembles a crime scene.

Microscope Assessment

 The easy way to assess kids is a quiz or test.  However, there are always a hand-full of kids who freeze during paper tests.  Here is an excellent introduction to microscopes with three labeled diagrams.  Here is a quiz and key I use.  (BTW rack stop is also stage stop.). Many teens whip through the paper quiz.  For others, I pull out a microscope and work individually.  We identify and name parts.  I point and ask the part’s name.  Alternately, I name a part and ask for the student to identify it.  I don’t care if this takes six or seven trials.   The kids all learn to name he microscope.

Food Web

 I’m fielding questions from parents as we get ready for Co-op classes.  Let me address food webs.  My summer assignment is a list of 100 Virginia species.  This list is modified; kids research the scientific names and eventually create detailed food webs.

The kids are creating lists on spreadsheets.  Many have started to add the scientific names, too.  The first day of class we’re dissecting owl pellets.  We use the results to create spreadsheets and learn how to make food webs. Rob explains the basics about spreadsheets. I held kids modify their lists.  They can add columns for producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, etc.  Additionally, they can add diet notes.  For example, bats eat their weight in mosquitoes.  This information is key to creating food webs.  The owl pellet dissection is a mini-version of the food web process.  Here  is a lab guide with a bone chart. Here is a bone sorting chart I use.  

We’ll use their data and a little research to create a food web.  (LBBs are ‘little brown birds’.)  

This activity is usually enough to help kids understand the relationship between an animal’s diet and the trophic(feeding) levels in a food web.   I haven’t found a good source for owl pellets.  I paid over $40 for this lab because I have a larger class this year.